The Black River Scenic Byway follows Highway 513 north along the Black River in the Ottawa National Forest, north of Ironwood and Bessemer. The mouth of the river empties into Lake Superior at Black River Harbor—the only public access point reachable by vehicle for Lake Superior west of Porcupine Mountains State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The Ottawa National Forest was created in the 1930s. The Black River Scenic Byway was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1992 for its exceptional scenery and recreational activities. Today, the byway offers opportunities for hiking the North Country, waterfalling, camping, rockhounding, and boating. The approximately 35-mile-long Black River originates from Black River Lake, flows south over numerous waterfalls, and cascades through a forest of hemlock, pine, and hardwoods. The byway, river, and harbor have a rich history.

Nineteenth Century History

Before Europeans or Americans arrived in the region, Anishinaabe (or Ojibwe) and other Indigenous peoples lived along Lake Superior’s south shore. By the early seventeenth century, Anishinaabe people were the main group in the region. They fished at many river mouths along the shore, including the Black River.

The land that eventually became the Ottawa National Forest was ceded to the United States by the Anishinaabe peoples in the Treaty of La Pointe in 1842. Often referred to as “The Copper Treaty,” one of the driving motivations for the United States to gain access to the land to the western half of the south shore of Lake Superior (including the Keweenaw Peninsula) was the rich copper and iron deposits.

In 1845, agents of the War Department completed a survey of copper prospecting along the Black River. The same year, the Chippewa Mining Company began exploration in the area. The Chippewa Mining Company at Chippewa Hill focused on mining copper (the hill was also known as Copper Hill).

The Chippewa Mining Company is representative of the growth occurring throughout the western UP in the mid-nineteenth century. Many mining and logging companies opened. However, most were only profitable briefly, and some were never profitable. Despite the precarious success of mining companies, old-growth forests, particularly white pine (whose wood floated on rivers and waterways), were logged to support the ventures, providing materials for the new communities and mining infrastructure. After the Soo Locks opened in 1855, materials from the UP, like lumber, iron, and copper, could also shipped to growing population hubs in the lower Great Lakes like Milwaukee and Chicago.

Chippewa Hill was attractive to the company owners because the nearby harbor and wharf could allow them to ship the copper throughout Lake Superior. However, like many companies, the Chippewa Hill Mining Company only found small traces of copper and never made a profit.

In 1884, land surveyor William A. Burt surveyed the region. He found a wagon road going from the mouth of the Black River to the Chippewa Mining Company. Two decades later, in 1904, Michigan constructed a wagon road from Bessemer to the mouth of the Black River Harbor. A portion of that road is the current Black River Scenic Byway.

By the late 1800s, a small commercial fishing village formed at the harbor. On the mornings the weather allowed, fishermen headed out onto Superior to set and check nets.  When they weren’t out on the lake, fishermen used the roads to travel to the growing communities that supported the mining industry, like Bessemer and Ironwood. Both towns were platted and incorporated by the 1880s as the Milwaukee and Western Railroad was built in the region.

The creation of a commercial harbor required dredging to ensure there were adequate water levels for fishing boats. Evidence of dredging the harbor is located on the east side of the river. The Ottawa National Forest has a meadow restoration project on the dredge pile, growing native pollinators that tolerate the rocky, coarse ground through which water drains rapidly.

In the past and present, access to water and geology affect how humans use the land. The river, waterfalls, and the beach continue to draw visitors to the area.

The Civilian Conservation Corps

The Black River Scenic Byway region grew significantly in the early twentieth century.

By 1930, the mining and lumber booms in the western UP were on the decline. Economic struggles in the Northwoods were reflected nationally as the United States entered the Great Depression. After Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election, the federal government took on several projects to stimulate the economy, including creating the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933.

Workers from Camp Norrie—the CCC camp in Ironwood—built significant parts of the infrastructure at Black River Harbor that you see in the present, including the 210-foot suspension bridge that spans the river, the pavilion, and a small stone outbuilding. A sawmill was set up on-site to provide the timber needed for the projects.

Construction started on the bridge in 1938 and was completed by 1939. The bridge was rebuilt in 1968 and upgraded in 2009. It features stone supports at each end that illustrate classic CCC masonry. It was also built with steel suspension cables and steel plates. In the present, the bridge plays a key role in the recreation area—connecting the parking lot, boat launch, docks, and picnic area on the west side of the river to the beach area on the east side of the river. The bridge is also part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

 By the 1950s, the commercial fishing industry at Black River Harbor had ended, and by the 1960s, the largest iron mines in the region had closed. The steel industry switched to focusing on high-grade iron from deep-shaft mines to taconite ore that could be economically mined from open pits. The region’s economy was undergoing major changes.

Along with evidence of the CCC, visitors who take the Black River Scenic Byway to the harbor can also see evidence of the history of commercial fishing. The wooden fishing boat, the Nancy Jean, is on display in the picnic area on the west side of the river. Built in 1913 by the Dan Kidney Boat Factory in De Pere, Wisconsin, the Nancy Jean is a gasoline wooden boat displaying her builder’s fine craftsmanship. She was used as a commercial fishing boat in the 1930s. In 1940, her career shifted to work as a chartered fishing boat until she was abandoned about a decade later.

In 1991, the Ottawa National Forest Service purchased the Nancy Jean for one dollar with the plan to bring her to the harbor and create an accompanying interpretative exhibit. Today, she welcomes visitors—who pass by her on their way to the suspension bridge—reminding them of the harbor’s fishing history.

Black River Scenic Byway Today

Today, tourism is one of the main economic drivers in the region. When driving the Black River Scenic Byway, visitors can stop at Copper Peak for sweeping views or ride mountain bike trails. Most railroad tracks in the region have been converted to ORV and snowmobile trails.

Visitors can explore the five waterfalls (Greater Conglomerate, Potawatomi, Gorge, Sandstone, and Rainbow Falls). At the harbor, they can rock hunt for agates or Yooperlites, swim, launch their own boat, or charter a boat for a half or full-day excursion. They can camp at the nearby national forest campground or book rooms at nearby private lodging. As a sign by the United States Forest Service mentions, the real riches in the area are not copper—they are the harbor, the lakeshore, and the waterfalls.

Black River Harbor Location

GPS coordinates to parking lot entrance:
46.664076, -90.047018

The Black River Scenic Byway is a great area for a day trip or as a base camp to explore the western UP!

Cold Iron Brewing is a brewery in Michigan that features small batch cold beers that hit the spot, whether you want to try a flight of new tastes or you’ve got your favorite and want it in a tall, frosty glass. Along with a refreshing cold beer greeting your warm hand, you can always expect friendly service from the staff at Cold Iron.

Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll also see some pretty adorable wagging tales lying on the cool floor and soaking in the low-key atmosphere. Oh yeah, that’s right, our four-legged companions are more than welcome in Cold Iron Brewing, and they may even get a little treat! (a non-alcohol treat, of course )

The doors to this awesome establishment are open to anyone and everyone. It’s a warming, family-friendly, and dog-friendly place to gather with the ones you love and make some new memories while you’re on Lake Superior. Let’s skedaddle into all there is to enjoy at Cold Iron Brewing so you can start brainstorming your next dawdling adventure!

Where is Cold Iron Brewing?

This fine establishment is located in the heart of Ironwood Michigan, which is about a 45-minute drive from Ashland, WI. — making it a great day trip location for those looking for some refreshing adventure, or if you’re already in the Ironwood area and want to try something new. There are other hidden local gems to discover while you’re in Ironwood; there’s nothing like taking in the Up North air!

Cold Iron Brewing Address

104 S Lowell St, Ironwood, MI 49938

Cold Iron Brewing Hours

Monday – Tuesday: 12 PM – 9 PM

Wednesday: 12 PM – 9 PM

Thursday – Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM

Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM

What’s Brewing at Cold Iron Brewing?

A few years ago, while my Husband and I were spending the weekend in Ashland on Lake Superior, we decided to check out a spot that his parents had raved about in the past: Cold Iron Brewing. With Ironwood being a 45-minute drive away, we cranked the tunes and made the trek for a fun and cozy Michigan adventure!

One thing we noticed right away about the interior of Cold Iron was the grand exposed beams, the well-spaced seating areas, and just how spacious yet comfortable the whole setting was. We were happily greeted by the bartender and quickly soaked in the relaxed and cozy vibe.

We started off by picking out a flight of beers to try together, and then we each ordered a glass of our favorites! While we were sipping on our brews and munching on pretzels we brought in, we people-watched and dog-watched and played a few rounds of Rummy, all the while chilling out in this fun, low-key environment.

Cold Iron Brewing is an inclusive establishment that often has awesome events, which you can check out on their website or their Facebook page! We’ll most certainly be going to Cold Iron again in the future and making some more memories, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good beer experience.

Wet Your Whistle!

You can’t have a brewery in Michigan without some delicious beer, so let’s see what’s on Tap! Although Cold Iron doesn’t serve food, guests are more than welcome to bring their own munchies.

Key- ABV: Alcohol by Volume. IBU: International Bitterness Units.

• #1 Dank Stank IPA
  • ABV = 6%
  • IBU = 50
• #2 Michiconsin Honey Cream
  • ABV =5%
  • IBU = 10
• #3 Ayer Street Amber
  • ABV = 5.4%
  • IBU = 30
• #4 Drift North IPA
  • ABV = 6.9%
  • IBU = 85
• #5 All Night Out Stout
  • ABV = 4.7%
  • IBU = 15
• #6 Mosaic Blonde
  • ABV = 5.6%
  • IBU = 45
• #7 Drift South Jalapeno Pale Ale
  • ABV = 5.6%
  • IBU = 35
• #8 Leif’s IIPA +
  • ABV = 12%
  • IBU = >100
• #9 Pineapple Guava Pale Ale
  • ABV = 5.2%
  • IBU = 10
• #10 Lemonade Shandy
  • ABV = 5%
  • IBU = 10
• #11 Grapefruit Shandy
  • ABV = 5%
  • IBU = 10

Hard Seltzers are also available at Cold Iron Brewing and come in various flavors at around 5% ABV; check out their On Tap page!

What Folks Are Saying about Cold Iron Brewing

Cold Iron Brewing is a terrific place to gather with family and friends, bring the pups, and have a frosty glass of deliciously brewed beer. But don’t just take my word for it! Here are more buzzing reviews on what’s brewing and grooving at Cold Iron Brewing.

“Met some friends here. Had a great time. Beers were spot on delicious. Bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable. All around great time and a neat space.”

– Tobin T

“We drove over an hour away from our Airbnb to visit this brewery and it was well worth it! Atmosphere was very open and dog friendly. Drinks were wonderfully priced for the amazing quality! Highly recommended the Honey wheat and Drift South Jalapeño ale!”

– Kate

“What an awesome experience!

We give it five stars only because there’s not an option for six! We had the brown ale and the Honey cream. The Honey cream has a sweet, crisp, and, refreshing beginning with a with a light, nutty, almost honey roasted finish. The brown had a deeper rich mouth feel with a molasses esk complexity and sweetness.

And don’t even get me started on the atmosphere! From the inviting large wooden doors out front, to the Foosball table, and the book exchange style library in the corner this place has something to make everyone comfortable!

The staff was extremely knowledgeable and kind. When asked they gave us the run down of what their favorites were!

Overall we had a great time and will absolutely be coming back! Maybe to one of the entertainment events it looks like they host frequently!”

– Kalvin

“Head to downtown Ironwood to stop at Cold Iron Brewing. This massive dog-friendly taproom has lots of great beers, indoor yard games, cool merch, and the nicest staff. I loved their cranberry shandy and Hayden was impressed by the Drift North IPA.”

– Julia S

We hope you got a jump start on planning your visit to Cold Iron Brewing, a cozy place where everyone is welcome to visit and come back again and again. Be sure to follow Cold Iron Brewing on Facebook so you can stay up to date on events and brews, and while you’re there, join our Facebook page!

Until next time, from all of us at On Lake Superior, have a wonderful time on the world’s greatest lake!